Several years ago, I babysat regularly for a little girl, who was almost 3, and the youngest of 3 children. At the time, she was in diapers & sleeping in a crib. Having already gotten the 2 older children squared away with being "older children," her parents were just not interested in rushing things along. I don't know if it was more, because they were tired & just didn't want to fool with it before this little girl was ready...or because they realized that she wouldn't be in diapers & a crib forever & all things come in time.

I also remember thinking that when I had children, I'd probably want to really start working on potty training and big kid beds around the age of 2. I'm not sure why I really wanted to push it - but I guess when you don't have kids, it's easy to think you know what you will want.

But there was a kink thrown in there.

My child did not come home from the hospital a few days old; instead, he came home when he was almost 2 years old. So even though I had entertained thoughts - previously - of stuff happening around the age of 2, I totally revamped my expectations. I never expected Iliya to be potty trained, or to sleep anywhere but a crib. In fact, I laughed to myself when the baby home doctor told me that Iliya dressed himself and was potty trained...and then proceeded to implore that we not let Iliya lose any of his independence.

The thing was, I missed out on the complete dependence age with Iliya, and I didn't mind (actually, wanted) Iliya regressing a little bit and depending on me...and well, just being a baby for a little while.

And if you'll notice in the pictures I post, my baby is really not so much a baby anymore...but a little boy. He did regress in the beginning - but has come so far in so many ways. He talks and can (more or less) carry on a short conversation...he feeds himself and drinks out of an open cup...his little brain and body are constantly in motion and I see him growing up so fast.

But honestly? I don't really want to move him out of a crib right now. He's not too big for it, and it keeps him contained (he only sleeps in it anyway). And really, diapers do not bother me one bit. Yeah, they are expensive (but we buy less expensive brands!)...but there are a whole 'nother set of issues when a child is potty trained. One has to educate herself on the location of bathrooms - everywhere - in case of an emergency...and when road (or air or boat) trips are involved, so are bathroom stops, when dealing with child-sized bladders. Nathan or I can "hold it" - but we wouldn't expect Iliya to be able to do the same for an extended amount of time. So yeah, there are some things that come along with potty training that I'm simply not quite ready for.

And Iliya has expressed a deep interest in the potty. He seems to know what one does in the potty. And he even acts like he wants to sit on the potty. But when we actually start to go for it, he chickens out and I just don't force the issue.

I guess I haven't had the "standard" 2 years that has caused me to tire of changing diapers. I don't mind it...and I know that my boy won't be in diapers or sleep in a crib forever. But I'm beginning to think that I might be crazy for not minding my 2 1/2 year old to be a baby for a little while longer. Most parents are pushing their kids, but me? I'm good with status quo in this area for a while, yet.